Letter to Town Board: Plan to Purchase Binnewater Property and Make into Town Park Opposed

Dear Town Board Members,

At the last board meeting, the purchase of property at 115 Walton Lane, and converting it to a town park, was discussed. I write this email to strongly object to using any money from town taxpayers, ARPA funds, or county grants, to do so for several reasons.

First and foremost, the property is ALREADY CONSERVED and will remain an open space in perpetuity. The notice of sale (from Zillow) contains this information:

 Lovely piece of property in Hurley. 32.33 acres (55.4-6-36) plus .45 ac (55.4-6-35) in the Town of Hurley. Twin Lakes runs through the back portion of the property. 1050 ft of road frontage. There are two old structures on the land that should be taken down. Property has deed restrictions plus does not allow for any subdividing.

Does this not more than adequately satisfy the Open Space Plan by keeping the area an "Open Space?"  Only a private residence can be built here, and only according to the deed restrictions. More than one potential buyer has contacted me about this property - primarily to ask about the status of the property next door. Two different parties informed me that the area on the property where any residence or structures could be built was highly restrictive.  It seems from the meeting that the town confirms this, but that is not the only factor being considered by potential buyers. 

As a person who values the environment, our area's biodiversity, and preserving ecologically special areas, I am very much in favor of leaving this property in private ownership with the conservation status and deed restrictions in effect. There is no good reason to spend taxpayer dollars on an open space that will remain an open space, without any investment from the town. I'm sure there are other parcels where this kind of money will be better spent to conserve additional open spaces and perhaps viewsheds within the town. 

Secondly, if the town follows through with such a purchase on Walton Lane, traffic issues will be exacerbated, and the area will be opened up to heavy trespassing. 

The owner of the neighboring property, the former Twin Lakes Lodge, has an approved SUP to place 55+ guest cabins right there - with said traffic hopefully using Heritage drive - but expected to add significant drive-by traffic onto the narrow Walton and Joys Lanes.
The town has no way to enforce the traffic restriction, let alone usage of a multi-acre property as a 'passive recreation" outlet for residents only. 

If the property is not open to the public, then it can't be easily abused. No one gets to trample the area, and a large majority of the property remains preserved in its native state, part of the Binnewater Forest. Preservation of this parcel contributes significantly to the climate resiliency of the local area. 

This area is habitat for endangered and threatened species, most certainly the Northern Long-eared Bat and the Indiana Bat, and likely the Northern Cricket Frog. These species have varying time frames during the year when disturbances are detrimental to their existence. Other native species flourish in this area as well, and this area is identified as part of a Natural Community in the DEC Mapper program. This is likely why you can't mow the lawn in many areas. Hurley does not have another preserved area like this within its borders. Let's keep it preserved. 

I would further suggest that rather than purchase this property for recreational use, consider designating this land a
Critical Environmental Area, together with the undeveloped adjacent areas. I've attached a FAQ sheet about CEA's
to this email for your review.

As to the lack of a public park on this side of town, I haven't heard any demand for that. We have recreation on this side of town. We have the rail trails. There's a playground at the elementary school; many people have larger parcels of land and have their own recreation and natural areas. What many town residents have asked for, is a boating entrance onto the Esopus for kayaks and canoes. What people on Walton Lane want for their neighborhood is a safe street to walk on, which many of us do regularly, not 32 acres of fairly pristine land being trampled upon with visits by out of town strangers. There are fewer ticks when you walk on the street. I didn't hear that one of my neighbors asked the board to look into this. I heard rather, that Ms. Mancaluso donated this land to a land conservancy, likely believing that this would preserve her land. And what a great piece of property this is to conserve.   

Before the Board devotes more time and resources on pursuing the idea of purchasing this property, I insist you consider what people want in the immediate neighborhood, and the CEA designation. If the town wants to purchase the land, let it do so only to keep it closed off from the public. I haven't spoken directly to my neighbors, and they absolutely need to be consulted. I feel that there have been enough intrusions into my neighborhood.

Thank you for your good intentions. I'm sure the town can find better places to use such funds, when they become available. I strongly support the creation of a community preservation fund, much like the one New Paltz passed.  That was brought to the attention of the CAC two years ago, and it is on their agenda this year.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.   

Yours truly,

Lynne Bailey

Hurley